[pavlov]

Broad-brush crypto whataboutism strikes again.

“Maybe it’s a scam, but so is [central banking / the stock market / every other startup / etc.]”

You’re trying to gaslight the OP to believe that what they’re feeling is normal, but it’s not. In startups with real products and real users and actual growth, the mood is not “we’re just dumping tokens.”

[version_five]

Well said. There is a big difference between reductionist arguments that everything could be a scam, and enterprises that contribute nothing but the potential to enrich the first people in.

[vmception]

alternatively, stop diluting the word gaslight, or reserve it for one of the sister comment threads where its actually relevant

the questions OP asked have the same quizzical observations that had been levied at the whole tech startup scene for the last ... 14? ... years

its not different enough, a lot of people especially younger people may just be entering the workforce, so its a valid question if they've been exposed to anything else before

[TearsInTheRain]

> In startups with real products and real users and actual growth

Thats a big caveat. Tons of startups dont have that and still consume billions in capital.

[eoinboylan]

Billions in capital from accredited investors.